Going forward, the EOS-1D X will be the only 1-series camera the company makes, or at least it will be once it becomes a shipping product starting next year.

All-new mirror and shutter mechanisms (the latter has a durability rating of 400,000 cycles)

HD video capture at up to 1080p/29.97fps or 720p/59.94fps with new H.264 compression options and timecode embedding (but no RAW video option and no continuous autofocus during capture; the new camera's video mode appears to have received mainly incremental improvements)

New EOS System Monitor screen shows total shutter actuations, serial number and firmware version

Twin CompactFlash slots with support for fast UDMA 7 cards

The EOS-1D X uses a new and slightly higher capacity version of the battery ... Called Battery Pack LP-E4N, the 11.1VDC/2450mAh pack takes the place of the 2300mAh LP-E4 that came before. The LP-E4 and LP-E4N ... are 100% interoperable, and either battery model can be used in the EOS-1D X as well as any previous Canons that take this battery type.

--> [I know there was already the "rumor" thread but figured we could use a fresh space to discuss it now that the specifications are official.]

->> A couple interesting notes regarding this.
1. Can it be that Canon has finally "gotten" the fact that more mp's isnt what we want/need???

2. As a Nikon shooter, this is great news....the more competitive pressure that can be applied means more/better improvements must be coming from Nikon to keep ahead....good times for ALL photographers right now.

3. No more 1.3 crop? Finally. I wonder if this will have any affect on their/everyone's crop sensor bodies?

4. Still waiting for a stills only version of any major player in the industry. As the requirements for video increase, demanding more and more features...it seems likely that a stills only version would be even more popular by those who have zero interest in video capture....ie, which would you rather have, better AF performance or video???

->> ^ I have owned several of the first few generations of 1D cameras, once you shoot with a single Mk4 all the older ones become worthless. That said, I still own the older ones because I can't afford a Mk4 .... yet!

->> My guess is that by the time it's released, it won't be $6,800...and most retailers will offer a slight discount. Good thing I skipped getting the IV...will make photography different for those used to nothing but the crop bodies. I cut my teeth on FF cameras from the late 70's.

->> I always liked the fact that you had an option with Canon.
If you wanted a pro FF you could pay more and get it. If
you wanted a pro crop with higher pixel density you could
get that for a lot less. Seems like Canon is just being
greedy here and trying to force 1D owners down an upgrade
path to $6800.

I understand the rational of wanting to merge the bodies
and sensors. I just wish we still had a choice.

->> $6,800 wow that's a lot of money. I just hope the low-light AF is at least as good as a D3s.

But according to the Canon hype, this might be the body that puts Canon back on top; every 5 or 6 years the technical superiority changes between Nikon and Canon... maybe it's ready to shift back to Canon. It's impressive at least on paper. And then to say it has better video than ANY of the prior Canon DSLRs... another way to muddy up the water.

->> I paid 7,100 for my Canon/Kodak DCS520 in 2000 and only really used it for 2 years before replacing it with a 10D. I think it cost something like 14,000 the year before. While it was a great two years, being one of the only shooters in the area with a digital camera, I think you will get a lot better camera with the new 6,800 Canon flagship camera. Having shot with my company's Nikon gear the last 8 years, including the D3, this new camera and Canon's direction could make me want to keep all my Canon L glass for the future, in case my staff job and gear goes away. I was contemplating selling the Canon lenses and starting to buy Nikon ones. I would have taken a beating.

->> Looks like a drop down from the 1dsmk3 to me. Never good when a camera company says, "Just res it up if you need more megapixels." I will be very curious to see 1d-X and 1dsmk3 image samples compared. Hopefully the 5d series will cater more to the studio and commercial photographer scene.

->> Garrett, I think Alan and Kevin are stating for those of us who shoot 0% video, the camera would be a bit cheaper. Offering two versions, say still only for $4,500 and still + video for $6,800 would be a better move for Canon.

I will admit to not being completely technically apt on the inner workings of the camera, but have strong suspicions the two married have compromises that affect frame rate, sync speeds, weight, sensor quality, mirror travel speed, shutter lag, etc.

I'm also old school. Old enough to remember when TV's and stereos were in the same cabinet. The stereo needed fixed and the repairman couldn't do it at your house... you lost use of both. So if you are a dual shooter and can only afford one of these bodies, are you willing to lose the ability to shoot both types if only one really quits working? I know most of us have a back up of some kind or other, but what if you don't and you sink your whole budget into just one body to do both?

Just doesn't make a lot of sense to me. I could be in the minority and often am.

->> Lyle ... $6800 breaks down this way ... its $1200 less than a D3X and with CPS pricing I am sure it will be more in the high 5's (when is that last time anyone bought a camera for MSLP), sell off a 1D Mark IV and now I'm are talking about an upgrade for around $2G's .... This is how I have gone from II's to IIn's to MIII's to MIV's and how I will manage a new 1DX's .... just a thought.

I've been doing this to long .... man look at what you get for $10,000 cheaper than an NC2000 :-) !!! No complaints here.

->> Garrett - When you don't have a market to sell to (video), why would you want to pay a premium for something you can't get a return on? For most of us, it's not just one camera body... it's two or three.

->> Michael & Kevin: I don't think buyers are paying much of a premium for video on this camera. To my knowledge Canon doesn't claim to have done much to the video beyond the 5DII or 1dIV capabilities. Maybe the audio is going to be cleaner with a lower signal to noise ratio. Secondly, were not the prices of the non video 5d and 5dII nearly identical on their respective release dates? What about the non video 1DIII and 1DIV? To my recollection each of the latest versions that included video retailed at a similar price as the pre-video predecessor.

Technology geniuses please correct me on this, but isn't the video capability on DSLR's just a clever way to capture the live-view signal? Then they just have processors fast enough and pipes big enough to handle that data.

Opening paragraph on the Canon 1D Mark III White Paper published by Canon:

"Professional photographers know what they want in a camera. Above all, the camera must be dependable—able to come through in shooting situations that are far less than ideal… even in harsh environmental and handling conditions. The camera must be responsive—reacting instantly to the photographer’s input… able to capture, within a heartbeat, the image in the mind’s eye. It must provide a sophisticated feature set that makes it versatile and adaptable and, yet, does not compromise operability. And, of course, it must deliver image quality beyond reproach—which, in the digital era, means not only
noise-free detail, richness of color, and depth of tone, but also sufficient data density to satisfy the widest range of output applications. Today, there is one(DSLR) camera that meets these criteria as no other: the Canon EOS-1D Mark III. Redesigned and re-engineered from the ground up, Canon’s newest flagship EOS is destined to become the next "must have" DSLR for professionals."

->> To be honest comparing the price of the original DCS digital cameras with these new ones is somewhat silly. whereas regular people can somewhat afford (if they want to sink the $6-7,000 into it) these bodies I knew of exactly ZERO hobbyists, or for that matter many newspapers who could afford the $20,000 price tag on the original cameras. The only people I knew who had those behemoths were larger newspapers and some of the wire service shooters at really large events. we actually had two of them. and when I look at those old files in the archive I shudder at the quality. it will be interesting to see if the quality of this new canon matches what I've been told the D3 has.

->> I do a lot of video, and have 2 Canon XF305's, you can bet I will be down to one and keep my 2 1D IV's.

If this camera lives up to its hype it should put Canon back on top for a year or two and make me glad I did not switch over.

As far as 1D IV's hitting the market, I am sure you will see quite a few, like me if the camera is as good as they say, and no issues I will sell my two IV bodies and get a second 1DX. A lot will depend on availability, but at this price point, even if slightly discounted it should not take too long to get one.

As good as this body looks to sports shooters, wedding and studio photographers are loving the specs too. I think Canon knew exactly what they were doing with this release.

->> I realize that newspaper photographers are probably not a huge market any more for Canon, but how about a camera with the same form factor and durability, less megapixels and lower cost. I would rather see some like the specifications of the 1D Mark III with autofocus that works and lower noise/higher ISO settings for about $3000. I don't need 16 megapixels, ethernet, 12 fps or video. What if we could convince Canon to make camera with this reduced feature set at a lower price point. I bet they would fly off the shelves if the AF worked. A Nikon D700 is looking pretty good at this point. I'm not trying to start a Nikon/Canon debate, I just want to be able to make pictures.

->> ^ I agree with the above. If I could get a modernized version of my 1D Mk2's that would be the camera I would buy. I still have no issues with my Mk2's except for the lack of high ISO ability (and the joke of an LCD screen). The 1DX is above and beyond what I need as I still like to keep photo and video on separate platforms and honestly 12 fps is a little more than necessary. 10 is just fine. I just want a new camera and acceptable high ISO ability. I guess there is a used Mk4 somewhere that has my name on it. It seems like the better bargain.

->> Fortunately, 1D4's will be around for awhile. Just sad to see the option of a more reasonably priced 1D body go by the wayside. I know that Canon has to deal with a yen/dollar ratio that is brutal but in this economy the price increases seem huge (for both the latest body and lenses).

I'm sure Nikon will be just as beastly about their prices so no relief there.

->> "The 1DX is above and beyond what I need as I still like to keep photo and video on separate platforms."

While I'm all for shooting on a dedicated video camera for most of my video work, there's nothing like investing in a camera (a video equipped DSLR) that can make you money in more than one discipline, provided that you have the tools / skills to overcome video DSLR's shortcomings.

On that note, I was really hoping they'd give us video shooters a headphone jack on the 1dX, you know, so you can make sure the critical audio you're running into the camera actually exists while recording on location? Just a thought. ;-)

->> The lack of a headphone jack is partly due to the lack of space for a socket but mainly to do with an internal battle at Canon between the DSLR marketing team and their video camera sales colleagues. The video guys are not keen on the DSLRs being everything we want them to be for video at the expense of dedicated video camera sales - classic big company territory dispute...

At top of this.
Here in Sweden Nikon are known for a far better service for pro photogs than Canon.
(I had some experiences with CPS in Sweden that does not impress me.
Last i heard from them was that the head of CPS Sweden should give me a call.
Which newer happened).

->> I believe all us agree that the Canon EOS-1D X is a awesome camera. However I don't shoot video;, Why can't Canon offer two type of Canon EOS-1D X one with video and one without for these of us of just shoot stills.

Then I can see paying $6,800 the Canon EOS-1D X hybrid (Video) perhaps then the Canon EOS-1D X without video could be cheaper say $3,500.

I say all of this to say why pay for a feature if it's not going to be used.

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